The Rise of the Middleman Economy

The economic powerhouses in today’s economy are middlemen like Amazon and Walmart, a reality that has been exacerbated in the pandemic. So argues Kathryn Judge, author of the new book, DIRECT: The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of going to the Source. In it, Judge says that we are trading convenience for long (and fragile) supply chains with often unethical sources. She argues a more just and fair economy is within our grasp, if we take small actions to be conscious consumers and go to the source more often. This will not only create a more resilient economy but also help us live more connected and fulfilling lives.

“They’re changing the rules of the game in ways that protect what they’re doing, and it also allows them to take a bigger cut over time that often has blocked innovations that could reduce their power. So part of the challenge is first of all drawing attention to this allows us to say individually like, “‘Where are we making decisions that don’t suit us?’”

– Kathryn Judge